Chapter 12: Recruiting Workers

“No problem, this method is very reliable.”

Jiang Lihua couldn’t help but admit that Gu Qingran had thought everything through carefully.

After all, it was a new product, and producing it on a large scale without knowing the effects could inevitably lead to unnecessary losses.

Seeing that Jiang Lihua had no objections, Gu Qingran confirmed the order.

“Order a hundred jin first, deliver it to the Wanfulou in town. I’ll inform the shopkeeper there.”

“Alright, I’ll deliver it in seven days.”

“I’ll pay you in advance.”

“Okay, at the price we agreed with the madam, 12 wen per jin, so 1,200 wen in total for 100 jin.”

Gu Qingran handed her one tael of silver and 200 wen in cash.

After settling the matter with the restaurant, Liu Yunxin hastily paid Jiang Lihua for fifty boxes of baby cream at 20 taels of silver per box.

“Lihua, I’ll order another hundred boxes. You can mark your logo on the packaging. Next time you come, we’ll discuss things more thoroughly.”

Jiang Lihua knew Liu Yunxin was worried about her son and wasn’t in the mood to talk, so she nodded in agreement and left.

After Jiang Lihua left, Liu Yunxin asked seriously, “Son, what exactly is going on with you?”

Gu Qingran knew his mother well; he had to explain everything clearly, so he recounted the events of the past few days to her.

When Jiang Lihua returned to Lihua Village, she noticed people whispering and pointing fingers at her.

Puzzled, she went home and saw Ni Wenyu pacing anxiously in her yard.

Seeing Jiang Lihua return, he hurried over and asked, “Lihua, where have you been?”

“I went to town because of that business last time. Why is everyone acting so strange in the village?”

Ni Wenyu looked embarrassed. “Lihua, I don’t know who started spreading rumors in the village, but they said... they said...”

“Say what?”

“That we have an illicit relationship.”

“Who the hell said that? I’m barely old enough—how could I have such a thing?”

When the tiger doesn’t show its claws, people think it’s a sick cat!

Jiang Lihua went inside, grabbed a loudspeaker from the general store, rolled up her sleeves, and headed outside.

“Lihua, where are you going?” Ni Wenyu, seeing her ready to confront, hurried after her.

Jiang Lihua, holding the loudspeaker, walked to the main village road.

“Who’s the bastard spreading lies that I and my cousin have an illicit relationship?”

“If you have the guts, come out and say it to my face.”

“What’s the matter? You have the guts to spread lies but not to stand up and say it?”

“If you don’t have the guts, then just stay honest. If I find out who’s causing trouble, I swear I’ll skin them alive.”

“My cousin is a scholar. Do you know what crime it is to slander a scholar?”

“I’m telling you, spreading rumors about a scholar is a crime punishable by imprisonment!”

Her voice carried through the loudspeaker, reaching most of the village.

The women who had been gossiping quickly hid, unwilling to come out.

Those closer to Lihua, like Aunt Li, came over to comfort her.

“Lihua, don’t mind those gossipmongers.”

“Yes, Lihua, I know you well. As soon as I heard this, I knew someone was lying.”

“Right, Lihua, just ignore those scoundrels. Sooner or later, their foul mouths will be silenced.”

Jiang Lihua was touched; at least some people still remembered the kindness she had shown them recently.

“Thank you, aunts, for believing me. I’m just upset because my cousin is preparing to become the top scholar. How could I let anyone ruin his reputation?”

Ni Wenyu, overhearing that Jiang Lihua was defending him, felt his eyes grow moist.

Clenching his fists, he silently vowed to become stronger and never let Lihua stand in front of him again.

“Don’t worry, Lihua. After your show of strength, no one will dare spread rumors again.”

“But Lihua, what is that thing? How did your voice get so loud?”

“Auntie, I don’t know what it is exactly. A madam in town gave it to me.”

Jiang Lihua made a casual excuse.

“By the way, auntie, I want to buy a hundred jin of cabbage. If you have any, I’ll buy from you at the same price as in town—2 wen per jin.”

“Sure, the cabbages in the field are growing well. I was thinking of cutting some to sell!”

So Jiang Lihua bought 40 jin of cabbage from Aunt Li’s family, and 30 jin each from two other families.

“Auntie, after your cabbages arrive tomorrow, I’ll need five people to help me work for a day, paying 50 wen per day. Are you available?”

Aunt Li quickly said, “We’re available—there are three of us here, so we just need two more. Can I ask my daughter-in-law and granddaughter?”

“All right, it’s settled then. Aunt Li, please come early tomorrow!”

The three women left happily.

Although they didn’t know why Jiang Lihua needed so much cabbage, it saved them the trouble of carrying it to town to sell.

On a small village path, Huang Yingrong kicked stones along the road as she walked.

Suddenly, she spotted Li Lian’er ahead and quickly came up with a plan.

“Hey, Lian’er, you’re back in the village? Have you heard?”

Li Lian’er turned at Huang Yingrong’s voice and asked, “I just got back today. Heard what?”

“The matter between Scholar Ni and his cousin.”

“Of course, I heard. His cousin yelled like a shrew for so long. If you have something to say, just say it straight.”

Damn Li Lian’er, always as sharp-tongued as that girl.

Huang Yingrong cursed silently.

“Lian’er, do you think it’s true?”

“Didn’t the girl say it was fake?”

“Aiya, Lian’er, you’re so naive. Of course she’d say it’s fake—otherwise, how embarrassing would it be if it got out?”

“What do you mean?”

Is she really that dense?

“Meaning, their relationship is real. I know you like Scholar Ni, but looks like there’s no chance now.”

“What did you say? That can’t be true!”

“Hmph, if you don’t believe me, go see for yourself. Those two are always clinging to each other, real close.”

Li Lian’er was impulsive and thoughtless—she believed whatever people said, completely unlike her clever mother.

Without replying, Li Lian’er ran toward Ni Wenyu’s house.

Huang Yingrong watched her retreating figure disdainfully. “Hmph, dumb fool, go ahead and make a scene.”

Li Lian’er arrived at Ni Wenyu’s house but found no one there, so she returned home to ask her mother.

“Mother, mother, is it true what they say about Scholar Ni and his cousin? Doesn’t he have no family?”

“Mother doesn’t know either. That damned girl just suddenly appeared.”

Widow Zhang worried her foolish daughter might stir up trouble with Jiang Lihua, so she warned, “Lian’er, that girl is not easy to deal with. Don’t provoke her.”

“But daughter likes Scholar Ni.”

“Lian’er, how many times have I told you? Don’t even think about that jinx. I don’t approve.”

“Hmph, I don’t need your approval.” Saying that, Li Lian’er ran into the house.

Widow Zhang frowned, deep in worry.

After Jiang Lihua and Ni Wenyu went to the Yang family to play the death-defying music, they each returned home to rest.

Jiang Lihua entered her yard and suddenly noticed several snakes flicking their tongues at her.

“Ah!” Jiang Lihua slammed the gate shut and ran away.